The feasibility of 2-back task with alphabets and functional transcranial Doppler sonography in assessing hemispheric lateralization of working memory in Chinese
- Author:
Winnie Wai-Ying Kam
;
Xing Wu
;
Suk-Tak Chan
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- From:Neurology Asia
2012;17(1):39-48
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Background: Hemispheric asymmetry studies of working memory are mainly carried out in western
countries. Data on Chinese is limited in this area of research. On the other hand, working memory
assessment can be limited by the temporal resolution of the imaging modality as well as the design
of the cognitive paradigm. These methodological limitations infl uence result interpretation hence
hinder cross study comparison. Hemispheric study of memory using a pure working memory paradigm
on native Chinese speakers, using a hemodynamic technique with high temporal resolution is thus
mandatory. Objective: We aimed to investigate the feasibility of the functional transcranial Doppler
sonography (fTCD) and 2-back task with alphabets in assessing the hemispheric lateralization of
memory in healthy right-handed Chinese. Methods: Thirteen healthy right-handed Chinese subjects
(7 males and 6 females, 19-22 years old) were included. Bilateral monitoring of the cerebral blood
fl ow velocity (CFBV) changes in their left and right middle cerebral arteries (MCAs) was performed
using fTCD during their performance of a 2-back working memory task with alphabets. Differences
of CBFV change between left and right MCAs were analyzed, and the laterality index (LI) was
determined. Results: Left lateralization was found in all subjects, with females performed better than
males (p < 0.05). No difference in age, response time and LI between the male and female subjects
could be observed (p > 0.05). A weak correlation was found between performance accuracy/response
time and LI (r2
= 0.12).
Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this is the fi rst report on the use of fTCD in memory
function assessment in Chinese. The consistency of our results with previous studies demonstrates
the feasibility as well as the potential application of the 2-back task with alphabets and f
- Full text:P020150707460041893331.pdf
